Governor’s Fishing Opener postponed to May of 2021; 2020 fishing season still set to open May 9th

Governor Tim Walz announced Wednesday that the 2020 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been postponed to May 6-9, 2021. The 73rd annual event was previously slated to be held May 7-10, 2020 in Otter Tail County but appropriate event action has been taken to curve the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the Governor’s Fishing Opener event postponement, the 2020 fishing season will still open on May 9.

The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a Minnesota tradition since 1948. Each year, the event provides a new host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other travel activities, attractions and points of interest. Opener festivities are organized by Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a Minnesota host community and many sponsors that make the event possible.

The 2020 fishing season will still open on May 9 and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues important work managing the state’s fisheries and other natural resources.

The DNR urges anglers to use good judgement when choosing where to fish this season.  More information about the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener and 2020 Minnesota Fishing season is available at mngovernorsopener.com and dnr.state.mn.us/covid-19.